Panasonic redesigns F2.8 Large Aperture 24-70mm Wide Zoom MFT lens

Panasonic announced a new large-aperture wide zoom lens, the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm / F2.8 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. for the LUMIX G Series. The LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm / F2.8 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. is a versatile lens ideal for virtually any shooting situation thanks to its large aperture, O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) integration, compact size, and lightweight profile, the company said. This lens is a redesigned replacement for the LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35 mm / F2.8 II ASPH.

The LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm will be available at channel partners at the end of February 2023 for $899.99.

The LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm / F2.8 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. is comprised of 14 lens elements in nine groups, including four aspherical lenses, one UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) lens, and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) to achieve high optical performance. The glass material of the UHR lens element is newly updated with higher transmittance to achieve greater natural color reproduction.

For more versatile use, the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm / F2.8 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. features a shorter focusing distance of 0.15m (at wide-end) with a larger magnification ratio of 0.21x (at 17mm), compared with the conventional LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm / F2.8 II ASPH. with 0.25m of focusing distance and 0.17x magnification ratio.

The LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm / F2.8 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. offers smooth, silent operation with the camera’s high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system, with the sensor drive at a maximum of 240 fps. It also excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing and includes a micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure change. Combined with the camera’s body I.S. and the lens’ O.I.S., Dual I.S. 2 provides effective hand-shake correction.

The external design has also been refined compared to the previous lens, the company said. The LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm / F2.8 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. features stunning mobility with its approximately 306 g compact size, lightweight, and rugged dust/splash-resistant design that withstands use under harsh conditions even at 10 degrees below zero centigrade. The filter diameter is 58 mm, with a 7-blade circular aperture diaphragm.